Cranberry Compote with Sugar (Print)

A vibrant mix of cranberries and sugar offering a sweet-tart balance for diverse dishes.

# What You Need:

01 - 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries

02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar

03 - 1/2 cup water

04 - 1 tbsp orange juice (optional)

05 - 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)

06 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

07 - Pinch of salt

01 - Rinse cranberries thoroughly and remove any stems or damaged berries.

02 - In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, water, and a pinch of salt.

03 - If desired, incorporate orange juice, orange zest, and ground cinnamon into the mixture.

04 - Heat the mixture over medium-high until it reaches a rolling boil.

05 - Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and the compote thickens.

06 - Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature; the compote will continue to thicken as it cools.

07 - Serve warm or chilled according to preference.

01 -

It takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, so you can make it while the main dish rests.
The balance of tart and sweet adjusts to your mood—you're in control, not the recipe.
It works everywhere: breakfast pancakes, holiday roasts, vanilla ice cream, even sharp cheeses.

02 -

Don't walk away during those final few minutes of cooking—the difference between perfectly jammy and overdone is maybe 90 seconds.
The compote will seem looser than you expect when hot, but cooling transforms it into the right consistency, so trust the process and don't overdo the cooking time.

03 -

If you want a smoother texture, mash the berries gently with a wooden spoon as they soften—you control how chunky or smooth it becomes.
Frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh and sometimes better because they're picked at peak ripeness, so don't hesitate to use them year-round.